Responding to a petition filed in the Supreme Court challenging the detention of journalists during recent protests demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the Centre told the Supreme Court on October 15 that it’s getting difficult to distinguish between a “reel maker” and an “independent journalist”, according to the Indian Express. 

“What has happened, and our experience is that there are several people who say we are freelance journalists. They have a mic, and they record things, and they upload on the... What is going on is reel-making; that happens even at the protest site. So, we do not know who is a reel maker, and who is an independent journalist,” said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a batch of petitions filed by media bodies and individual journalists. 

On allegations of sexual harassment by male police officers against women journalists, Mehta said that “no lady should be inappropriately dealt with, including female police personnel,” according to Indian Express. 

On the point of the woman journalist seeking an FIR against Delhi Police personnel for sexual harassment, Mehta said a response would be filed within a short period, according to Bar and Bench. Meanwhile, the bench also said it will consider the constitution of a committee to look into complaints of sexual violence against women journalists, while responding to a petition moved by the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI).

“We are also prima facie agreeing that the committee in your matter must be predominantly or exclusively composed of women. It may comprise a former woman judge, a former woman IPS officer, a former woman social worker or a social activist with a known track record,” said CJI Kant.

The CJI also observed that journalists exercise two fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression and the right to practise a trade or profession. This, he said, makes their protection particularly important, according to Bar and Bench. Justice Bagchi, meanwhile, said the court would examine the varying levels of protection available to accredited journalists, freelancers, independent journalists, and influencers. 

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